Content
In recent years, determinate varieties of tomatoes have become increasingly popular among amateur gardeners and owners of large agro-industrial complexes. The fact is that this group of vegetables is superior to other types in terms of productivity. The Chocolate Lightning tomato, a bright representative of determinants, can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouses.
Tomatoes of the Gnome Chocolate Lightning variety are distinguished by their attractive fruit appearance and harmonious taste.
History of appearance
At the end of the last and beginning of this century, breeders in the USA and Australia actively worked towards breeding tomatoes that would develop and bear fruit well in limited space. In fact, botanists have created “indoor” varieties of the crop, which are also unpretentious and produce a good harvest. By 2011, more than a dozen new types of tomatoes had been developed and successfully passed breeding tests.The Chocolate Lightning variety, part of the group of so-called “Gnomes,” has gained popularity among vegetable growers from different continents.
Description and characteristics of tomato Gnome Chocolate Lightning
Strong and tall tomato stems reach 1 m in height when planted in open ground. In a greenhouse, bushes can grow up to 1.8 m. On average, 6-8 fruits are formed in a cluster.
The weight of each tomato is 110-230 g
When they reach the stage of maturity, the flat-round tomato fruits acquire a pleasant brown color, characteristic of everyone’s favorite sweet delicacy. The surface has copper-green vertical stripes and golden touches along the top. The taste of tomatoes is balanced, sweet and sour, with noticeable spicy notes. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, dense, low in seeds, and bright burgundy in color.
Chocolate Lightning is included in the category of natural tomato varieties. Therefore, seeds taken from ripe fruits can be used for planting next season.
Ripening time
The Gnome variety is a mid-season variety. The growing season from the time of emergence of seedlings to the ripening of the first fruits is 115-120 days.
Productivity
The productivity of the variety is high. If agricultural techniques are followed, over 3.5 kg of tasty fruits can be harvested from one bush per season.
Resistance to adverse factors
The strong main stems of the bushes are resistant to winds. The wrinkled texture of the leaves helps retain moisture in the tissues during dry weather.
Where is it grown?
The Chocolate Lightning tomato is grown in open ground in a subtropical climate, which includes the southern and southwestern regions of Russia. In the temperate zone, the mid-season variety is best cultivated in greenhouses. When growing on the site, it is recommended to pick unripe fruits before frost. In a dry room, tomatoes ripen for several days.
Methods of application
The sweet and sour taste of the fleshy pulp of tomatoes appealed to consumers. The variety is great for:
- fresh consumption;
- use in cooking for preparing vegetable dishes, sauces;
- preparations for the winter in the form of canned food (lecho, adjika, paste) and juices.
During culinary processing (stewing, frying, baking), tomato fruits do not lose their beneficial qualities. Chocolate zipper goes well with other products in a variety of dishes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The high taste qualities and presentable appearance of the Chocolate Lightning tomato fruit have made the variety popular among gardeners and consumers.
Tomato ripening is uniform, fruiting lasts until the first frost
Pros:
- a powerful dwarf with a strong main trunk and several side stems;
- suitable for growing in open ground and greenhouses;
- shows resistance to hot sun, dry winds, and typical tomato diseases;
- has an average ripening period;
- has good productivity and large fruits;
- can be consumed fresh or processed;
- the picked fruits ripen at home.
Minuses:
- in temperate climates, growing in greenhouses is recommended, since tomatoes may not reach maturity in open ground.
Landing dates and rules
Planting tomato seeds for seedlings is planned for the second half of February. Containers or cups are used for sowing. It should be noted that young seedlings need additional lighting. For the full development of the root system it is necessary:
- 800-1000 ml of soil per bush at the age of four weeks;
- 2-2.5 l when the plant reaches 2 months of age.
A sufficient volume of soil ensures uniform development of all parts of the bush. The seedlings are transferred to the greenhouse in early April, and to open ground as soon as the threat of frost has passed.
All varieties of tomatoes from the “Gnomes” series are planted compactly, according to a 40x40 cm pattern
How to care
Caring for tomatoes of this variety, like other determinate species, has a number of features. In general, the list of agricultural practices is standard.
- Abundant but not frequent watering.
- Root feeding and spraying of bushes with organic solutions and mineral compounds.
- Organization of preventive treatments of plantings to protect against diseases and pests.
At the same time, Chocolate Lightning requires the use of specific agricultural techniques. When caring for tomato plantings of this variety, you need:
- moderate pinching of the lower processes;
- removing leaves covering the fruit.
The procedures ensure good ventilation, access to sunlight and proper formation of bushes. The plant will devote energy to the formation of large fruits and will not waste it on gaining green mass.
Determinate varieties need garter.The main stems are secured to supports so that the weight of the fruit does not cause the bushes to bend to the ground and break.
Removing excess shoots from determinate tomato varieties is aimed at activating fruiting
Disease and pest control
The variety is resistant to major diseases. At the same time, preventive treatment of plantings against fungal spores with broad-spectrum chemicals is necessary. It is equally important to use agricultural technology correctly when growing crops.
Conclusion
The Chocolate Lightning tomato, like other dwarves, is a good alternative to varieties with unlimited stem growth. Compact bushes do not require much space when growing. The variety is unpretentious to cultivation conditions and is resistant to diseases. At the same time, large fruits have a balanced sweet and sour taste and a presentable appearance.
Reviews of summer residents about tomatoes Gnome Chocolate Lightning
